Great Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens)

Discover the hoverfly with love spots, not afraid of a wasp and can be hidden in plain sight.

Great Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens) 

Wing Length 10-15.5mm. Body size 13-17mm

Flight. May-Sep

Species to spot in Jul-Aug

A large, predominantly black hoverfly, distinguished by a broad ivory band across the abdomen and striking black-and-amber markings on the wings. It is commonly referred to as the Pellucid Hoverfly, with pellucid deriving from the Latin per (“through”) and lucere (“to shine”), meaning transparent or clear. However, as transparent wings are a feature shared by many hoverflies, the name has always felt somewhat unremarkable.

One of this species’ more distinctive characteristics is its feathery antennae, for this reason, I have begun referring to it as the Pied Plumehorn. The term pied—an adjective describing black-and-white colouration—follows the naming convention used for familiar British birds such as the Pied Wagtail and Pied Flycatcher. The name has since been adopted in several recent publications, including Guide to Flies of Britain & Ireland (2026) and Hoverflies of Britain and NW Europe (2023) both of which seek to promote the wider use of hoverfly English common names.

I have since added the prefix Great to reflect its size relative to other hoverflies that could also be considered pied, such as White – Clubbed Glasswing (Scaeva pyrastri). While these species share similar contrasting colouration, none possesses the distinctive plume-like antennae that make the Great Pied Plumehorn such a fitting and hopefully memorable name.

Hoverflies at the Commonwealth Games

Now for something completely different.....

We often anthropomorphise the creatures we encounter, giving them names and personalities. It allows us, as humans, to feel more connected to wildlife. As a child, I would often be glued to the TV watching Johnny Morris on Animal Magic. His voiceovers regularly made me laugh out loud.

Well, this week’s offering isn’t from a zoo, nor is it a voiceover about the strange behaviours of its inhabitants. Instead, it’s a bit of fun.

For the next 11 days, the Commonwealth Games will be on our screens, showcasing a wide range of sporting events we rarely get to see nowadays. So, join me as I jump, swim, and run into a bit of fantasy—exploring which events our hoverflies, these little superhero pollinators, might take part in.

While hoverflies (Syrphidae) are not Olympic athletes, their specialised and agile flight—including hovering, backward flight, and rapid darting—makes them uniquely suited to mimic the mechanics of certain Commonwealth disciplines.

This is all a bit of fun, but also a great way for me to highlight the traits of some of our most common hoverflies and how they might earn their place on the team.

You may well have your own suggestions—and that’s absolutely fine. Everyone has good reasons for their team selections, and it’s easy to argue that the best hoverflies were left at home, especially when results don’t go our way. But I’ve done my best!

Athletics

Hoverfly Spotter Jul26 Sightings – part 1

Hoverflies, Hoverflies, and a few Moths – July 26

We are now past the longest day of the year and the days are getting shorter and the nights longer. Yet, as I sit down to write this article, we seem to be in the grip of another heatwave—the second, or perhaps the third of the summer. I've honestly lost count.

Many of you have been out spotting hoverflies and sharing your sightings, which is wonderful to see. I hope my article, notes and ‘Hoverflies on the Wing’ collations are helping you discover more of these fabulous flies. I know I’ve certainly been seeing a wider variety of species this year, although I can’t help wondering how the recent spells of hot weather have been affecting them.

Hoverflies are often known as “sun flies” because they become active when the sun shines. However, they are surprisingly sensitive to temperature and, like Goldilocks, prefer conditions that are ‘just right’. When temperatures fall below around 8°C, many species enter a state of torpor and become inactive. At the other extreme, when temperatures climb above 25°C, hoverflies often retreat into shade or sheltered spots to avoid overheating.

In many ways, I’ve behaved much like the hoverflies during this latest heatwave, seeking refuge from the hottest part of the day whenever possible. Despite the high temperatures, I’ve still managed to get out with the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, lead a session for the Barnsley Naturalist Association, and even fit in a little moth trapping in my garden.

Ecosystem – Nature Themed Board Game

Ecosystem - the card game

Designed by: Matt Simpson

Illustrated by: Lindsay Falsone and Martyna Szpil

Published by: Genius Games (2019)

Players: 1–6

Ages: 8+

Playing Time: 10–20 minutes

I have been a board game player ever since I was young. I recall fondly playing cards with my grandma and learning all the different variations of card games. Later I learned how to play draughts and chess with dad, not that I was any good at them. Then there were the family holidays on the east coast where on a rainy day we would play monopoly, dominos and other such traditional games. But it was at the start of lockdown when I was looking for other things that me and my beloved could do to get us through the crisis, that we discovered nature themed board games. Now I have a small collection filling a couple of shelves of my bookcase.

Ecosystem is a card-drafting and tableau-building game in which players create a balanced natural environment by strategically placing cards representing animals, plants, and habitats. It is light, quick to play, and ideal for families and casual gamers.

Does it teach anything about biodiversity or ecosystems?

Humming Flowerfly (Syrphus ribesii)

Discover the hoverfly that delivers the news & sings.

Humming Flowerfly (Syrphus ribesii) 

Wing Length 7.25-11.5mm. Body size 9-13mm

Flight. Apr-Nov

Species to spot in June July

I’m a little late with June’s species of the month—unusual for me—but I’ve recently been “whispered” some good news… by a hoverfly no less, more on that in a moment.

Have you ever walked along a path or paused near a sunlit glade and noticed flies hovering at about head height? Darting, stopping, then settling briefly on a leaf before lifting off again? Chances are it might be this species of hoverfly.